The Book of Joshua continues to unfold the distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel in chapters 16 through 20. These passages detail the specific inheritances given to several tribes and establish cities of refuge, demonstrating God’s concern for both justice and mercy. The narrative focuses on how the Israelites began settling into the land, fulfilling God’s promise to their ancestors.
Joshua 16: The Inheritance of Ephraim
Joshua 16 begins with the inheritance of the descendants of Joseph, which includes the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The chapter provides a detailed description of the boundaries of the land allotted to Ephraim, located in the central part of Canaan.
The inheritance of Ephraim includes a mix of cities and villages, though the text makes a special note that Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer. Instead, the Canaanites continued to live among the people of Ephraim, working as laborers. This incomplete conquest of the land reflects a recurring theme in Joshua—while the Israelites have largely taken control of Canaan, there are still pockets of resistance and disobedience that will pose challenges in the future.
Joshua 17: The Inheritance of Manasseh and the Problem of Unfinished Conquest
Joshua 17 discusses the inheritance of the tribe of Manasseh, the other half of Joseph’s descendants. This tribe receives a significant portion of land, extending from the Jordan River into the hill country of central Canaan.
A unique feature of this chapter is the story of the daughters of Zelophehad. Zelophehad had no sons, and his daughters petitioned for an inheritance so their father’s name would not be lost. Moses had previously granted them the right to inherit, and Joshua honors that decision, giving them land within Manasseh.
The chapter also highlights another issue with the conquest. The people of Manasseh were not able to fully drive out the Canaanites in some of their cities. Although they managed to subdue them and put them to forced labor, the Canaanites were not completely expelled. The people of Joseph (both Ephraim and Manasseh) express frustration with their land, claiming that their allotted territory is too small for such a large tribe. Joshua challenges them to go up into the forested hill country and clear the land for themselves, reminding them that they are strong and capable of expanding their territory.
Joshua 18: The Assembly at Shiloh and the Division of the Remaining Land
Joshua 18 marks a pivotal moment for the Israelites as the entire congregation gathers at Shiloh, where the tabernacle of the Lord is set up for the first time in the land of Canaan. Shiloh becomes a central place of worship for the Israelites.
At this point, seven tribes still have not received their land inheritance. Joshua challenges them to stop waiting and to take action in possessing the land. He appoints three men from each tribe to go out and survey the remaining land, dividing it into seven parts. After they complete their survey, Joshua casts lots before the Lord to determine how the land will be distributed.
The first tribe to receive their inheritance is Benjamin, whose territory lies between the lands of Ephraim and Judah. The chapter provides a detailed description of the borders of Benjamin’s territory, including several important cities like Jericho and Gibeon.
Joshua 19: The Inheritance of the Remaining Tribes
Joshua 19 continues with the division of the land among the remaining six tribes.
Simeon receives an inheritance within the land of Judah because Judah’s portion was too large.
Zebulun receives a territory in the northern region of Canaan.
Issachar is allotted a portion of land to the south of Zebulun.
Asher receives territory along the northern coast.
Naphtali is given land in the far north, near the Sea of Galilee.
Dan, the last tribe to receive their inheritance, is assigned land in the coastal plain. However, the tribe of Dan faces difficulty in taking possession of their land and eventually moves north to conquer the city of Laish, renaming it Dan.
After the division of the land is complete, Joshua receives his own inheritance. Though Joshua, as the leader, has waited until all the tribes have been allotted their land, he is granted the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, where he will spend the rest of his days.
Joshua 20: The Cities of Refuge
In Joshua 20, God commands Joshua to establish cities of refuge, a vital part of the justice system for ancient Israel. These cities are meant to be places where individuals who accidentally cause the death of another person can flee to escape revenge by the victim’s family. These cities provide safety until a trial can be conducted to determine the accused person’s guilt or innocence.
God’s command for the cities of refuge is rooted in His concern for justice and mercy. They prevent a cycle of blood vengeance, ensuring that someone who committed manslaughter is not wrongfully killed before a proper judgment. However, if someone is found guilty of murder, they are not protected in the cities of refuge.
Joshua appoints six cities of refuge:
Kedesh in Galilee,
Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim,
Hebron in Judah,
Bezer in Reuben’s territory (east of the Jordan),
Ramoth in Gilead (in Gad’s territory),
Golan in Bashan (in Manasseh’s eastern territory).
These cities are spread out across Israel to be easily accessible to all the tribes.
Conclusion
Joshua 16 to 20 highlights the transition from conquest to settlement in the Promised Land. The detailed accounts of land distribution demonstrate God’s faithfulness to His promises, ensuring each tribe receives its inheritance. At the same time, the chapters also reveal the challenges Israel faces, such as incomplete conquests and internal struggles over land allocation.
The establishment of the cities of refuge reflects God’s heart for justice and mercy, providing protection and ensuring fair trials in cases of accidental death. These chapters show that while Israel is entering a time of rest, there is still work to be done to fully possess the land and establish a just society under God’s law.
